Friday, September 14, 2012

More view Obama positively after DNC

Obama and Romney Poll(Credit: CBS)

(CBS News) Following the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., last week, registered voters now view President Obama more favorably than unfavorably, according to a new CBS News/ New York Times poll - a reversal from what was found in August when slightly more viewed him unfavorably.

However, two weeks after the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., more voters still view Mitt Romney unfavorably than favorably.

According to the poll, conducted Sept. 8-12, 45 percent of registered voters now view Mr. Obama favorably while 41 percent have an unfavorable view of him. Thirty-three percent of voters hold a positive view of Romney while 40 percent have an unfavorable view. Another 26 percent of voters say they are undecided about the GOP candidate or don't know enough about him to have an opinion.

The president also leads Romney on a number of candidate qualities.

Chart - Candidate Qualities(Credit: CBS)

Majorities of voters think Mr. Obama understands the needs and problems of people like them, is clear about what he wants to accomplish if re-elected, says what he believes rather than what people want to hear, and is honest and trustworthy.

Voters tend to think Mitt Romney is honest and trustworthy (though by a smaller margin), and that he is clear about what he wants to accomplish as president. But voters are divided over whether or not he understands their problems, and about half think he mostly says what people want to hear.

Likely voters who watched the conventions came away with more positive rather than negative impressions of both candidates. As might be expected, there are strong partisan differences on this.